Construction trades teachers earn 2nd place in national contest

November 2018Granite Schools

Robert Cook, Vaughn Nickerson, and Anthony Van Horn teach construction courses at the Granite Technical Institute, and this morning they were surprised with the news that they had earned second place in the national Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence.

The recognition earned them $35,000 for the Granite Technical Institute’s skilled trades program, and $15,000 dividing among the three teachers to be used however they wish.

“The creativity and hands-on projects that Mr. Cook, Mr. Nickerson, Mr. Van Horn and the other winning teachers bring to their classrooms is an inspiration,” said Harbor Freight Tools for School executive director Danny Corwin. “This is education at its best, and we are humbled to honor these teachers and shine a light on excellence in the skilled trades education.”

Cook has been teaching at GSD for 20 years, Nickerson has been teaching for 17 years, and Van Horn joined the GTI three years ago.

Through the construction trades program, students have an opportunity to explore different aspects of the industry. They learn the difference between residential and commercial construction, and move into more focused training in carpentry, plumbing and electrical.

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